TRAFFORD council is making about 100 staff redundant - but it won't stop the council tax going up again.

Town hall finance bosses, struggling to cope with years of overspending, have told employees to brace themselves for the axe while cuts are sought across the board.

Union bosses condemned the move and will ask members if they want to take industrial action.

Unison union branch secretary Neal Linksy said: "We condemn the number of people to be made redundant. However, we are working with the council to try to get as many of the people affected as possible re-deployed rather than facing compulsory redundancies."

It is believed the axe may fall at the Northlea day centre in Sale Moor, while other cuts are poised to hit the Childrens' Society family centre in Partington and the Stretford Public Hall community room.

The cuts are part of an attempt by the new Tory administration, which took control from Labour in June, to balance the books.

The M.E.N. has learned that council tax in Trafford is set to rise by five per cent.

Tory group press officer Coun Stephen Ogden said: "The council is handling the process sensitively through extensive consultation."